Instead of flowing down the gradient, the air tends to flow perpendicular to the air-pressure gradient and forms a cyclonic flow. This is an example of a more general case of geostrophic flow in which air flows along isobars.

Hurricanes generally seem to ride on the anticyclonic flow of the large oceanic highs, "recurving" to accompany them along coasts to the west. However, the paths of hurricanes are highly unpredictable for individual storms.